Contacts for the Minnesota Legislature

The Government Relations Office at DHS plans, manages, and directs the department’s legislative program, and ensures that department-initiated proposals that come before the Minnesota Legislature are consistent with the agency’s mission. The office serves as the agency-wide authority for the department’s legislative planning and policy development process, and ensures that expert advice, guidance, and strategies are provided to the Commissioner and executive leadership on the technical, governmental, and fiscal implications of the agency’s legislative proposals. The office also monitors and provides technical support on human services-related legislative activity at the Capitol, and coordinates legislative-related communications between the agency and state legislators, the Governor’s Office, and external stakeholders.

The Children and Family Services administration oversees the department’s child protection, child support, and child care services policy areas, as well as the state’s economic assistance and refugee services programs. The administration also works with counties, tribes, and community organizations to provide systems and policy support to providers of cash, food, employment and training, and housing assistance for low-income Minnesotans.

The Community Supports administration oversees policy and program administration for disability, deaf and hard of hearing, alcohol and drug abuse, mental health and housing and support services. Community Supports works to ensure that all Minnesotans have equitable access to effective services that support a continuum of care, healthy outcomes, and individual choice for how people choose to live, work, and enjoy life in their communities.

The Continuing Care for Older Adults administration works to ensure that Minnesota’s older adults receive the services and supports they need to live as independently as possible. The administration manages policy for home and community-based services, administers rates and policy for nursing facilities, oversees the state’s adult protective services system, and staffs the Minnesota Board on Aging.

Direct Care and Treatment (DCT) is a 24/7 behavioral health system that provides care through four service lines: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment Services, Community-Based Services, Forensic Services, and the Minnesota Sex Offender Program. More than 12,000 individuals with complex behavioral and physical health conditions are served annually at about 200 sites throughout the state. This includes individuals that have had contact with the criminal justice system, as well as individuals participating in court-ordered sex offender treatment.

The Health Care administration oversees the state’s public healthcare programs for low-income Minnesotans, including MinnesotaCare and Medical Assistance (MA). The administration manages health care contract purchasing and service delivery; eligibility, benefit, and payment policies; member and provider relations and outreach; program research and evaluation; and oversight for the county and tribal administration of the state’s public health care programs.

Operations oversees all agency-wide internal policy and consumer-facing regulatory activity. This area includes the offices of chief general counsel, internal audits, and appeals and regulations, as well as the agency’s role in conducting human services provider inspections, licensing, background studies, and financial fraud and abuse investigations. Operations also oversees the administrative functions of the agency, including department-wide records management, administrative policy, human resources, and policy-related training and business continuity.

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Terminology disclaimer
The terminology used to describe people with disabilities has changed over time. The Minnesota Department of Human Services (“Department”) supports the use of “People First” language. Although outmoded and offensive terms might be found within documents on the Department’s website, the Department does not endorse these terms.